Leslie Russell, Ally Crawford, Brittanie Newton, Cara McKinley, Erin Gardner, Hannah Rhoad, Jordan Skarbek, Julie Milius, Leslie Mullen, Yuki Peterson
When I got home from a miserably rainy and windy Columbus Half Marathon the first things my kids asked me was "did you win?" My answer, in a way, yes. Did the race go how I wanted it to go? No. It sure didn't. BUT I was able to finish the race without causing my injury to get worse, and that was a big win. This feeling sat with me and helped me rewrite the story of this race in my head. So I asked our moms....how did you win?
Read on for their (and my response).
"I won because I realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by so many people that kept moving me forward when all I wanted to do was quit the moment I started. I won because I was able to fall in love with training again because I ran with so many new people, and pushed myself so much more than I thought I could. I genuinely looked forward to each run I had on my training plan, and that has never happened before. I won because I was able to realize that the weather was complete crap, and not a reflection of the type of shape I was in. So that just makes me hungry for more and to prove to myself that I can beat the marathon one day." -Ally
"I won by pushing through when I REALLY did not want to. By proving to myself that even when it all sucks, that there's always a little more to give, and when you do, you can feel invincible. I won by becoming an example to my kids of what it looks like to go into something that feels very impossible and conquering it. If nothing else, having these car conversations afterwards of my own mental struggle and finding ways to apply that to my kids' lives and getting to be that example for them was such a win that I will take with me for the long haul." -Brittanie
"I got a great morning with a friend while we supported one another through every mile and found joy in the challenge." -Cara
"I won because I was voted Miss Congeniality (in my own head) Miles 1-17 I was running for a PR, Miles 18 - 19 I thought i had lost the marathon, and Miles 20 - 26.2 I was all smiles, encouragement, and passing out electrolytes to anyone who would take them. I won because I chose to do hard things, the weather gave me harder things, and I finished with a smile. I won because my hunger for the next one is already burning." -Erin
"I won because I kept going (and finished!) when I wanted to stop halfway through the race. I was struggling mentally (early on) to keep going and powered through the negative thoughts. I won because I didn’t let the rainy weather get to me and I completed my first road marathon! And maybe had a little fun :)" -Hannah
"I won because I beat my goal time by 10 minutes and I worked my butt off for that to happen. I won because God gave me a body that can run and He allowed me to train and run this race alongside so many other strong running mamas." -Jordan
"I won because I got to spend the weekend with some incredibly strong mamas who all completed their races in less than favorable weather conditions" -Julie
"I won because I actually signed up and finished a half marathon! I trained with some amazing women and even though I was physically capable of my updated race day goal it wasn't in the cards. I won because I fought every minute for 3 miles to achieve my original goal. I won because I haven't ruled out trying again (Ally falling off her couch now!)" -Leslie K
"I won because I trained. Because my body was as ready as it could have been before a previous injury decided to rear it's head. I won because I got to train with amazing women and friends. Because I learned so much about myself and running. I won because the first 6 or so miles felt so good. Because for the first time ever I didn't go out too fast. I won because when my injury started showing again, I listened to my body and walked. Because even though I wanted to cry, I didn't. I kept going and powered through doing intervals to the finish. And I did it all without making my injury seriously worse. I won because I completed my first half marathon in less than ideal conditions (weather and physically)." -Leslie R
"I won because - what better way to spend your rainy day Sunday? Running it with your awesome mama friends who are just as excited to have 2+ hours of liquid sunshine time. I could have been on my couch watching the rain come down. But I didn’t!!!! I got up and did a thing-So that’s a win. But lastly I won because I did not get any post race chaffing." -Yuki